We are excited to announce that we have been designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike for homeless individuals by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which qualifies us to receive reimbursement for primary care services so that we can provide fully integrated care for our patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“Haymarket’s commitment to serving individuals with substance use disorders, experiencing homelessness and other overlapping health conditions will be profoundly enhanced by our FQHC Look-Alike status,” said President & CEO Dr. Dan Lustig.
FQHCs are critical community health organizations that serve one in five Medicaid members in the U.S. To receive FQHC-LAL status, we had to meet all Health Center Program requirements, including being a non-profit organization, providing an array of primary care services alongside homelessness support.
“We offer comprehensive substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment, as well as primary care, to about 12,000 of our most vulnerable neighbors each year who experience health disparities with goal of improving health equity in our State.” Lustig said. “The benefits that come with being an FQHC Look-Alike, especially the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates, will empower us to deepen this mission and serve even more Chicago-area residents in need.”
The FQHC Look-Alike designation recognizes our work providing high-quality, culturally responsive health care services and gives us access to a grants to support integration in health care. This designation complements our already involvement with the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program and additional supports for staff recruitment, retention and training.